Where The Wild Things Are

Written by: Spike Jonze & Dave Eggers (book by: Maurice Sendak)

Directed by: Spike Jonze

Starring: Max Records, James Gandolfini, Catherine O'Hara, Lauren Ambrose, Forest Whittaker, Paul Dano, Chris Cooper

Yes I've read the book 700 million times as a kid. No, I have no recollection of the exact story but that Max was a bad kid who was sent to bed without dinner and escaped to an island of Wild Things. So I went into this movie with no storyline expectations, but just wanted to see another something for my childhood finally brought to life. Especially by one Mr. Spike Jonze.

Our first glimpse of Max (Records, and yes it is awesome the kids name is actually Max) is actually on screen before we see his little face. A few nice little drawings on the production company cards. But when he hits the screen, its at a startling pace.

After roughhousing with the dog, he makes his way outside to build and man a fort by himself. He begs for his sisters attention, and it's granted briefly by way of her and her friends engaging in a snow fight with Max and eventually crushing his ice fort, and consequently his spirit. To get revenge he makes an utter mess of his sisters room.

When Mom (Catherine Keener) comes home, she doesn't scold Max, but instead helps him clean up and feel just a little better about himself. It's short lived though, because soon Mom's boyfriend (Mark Ruffalo) comes over and takes the attention away from Max. Max causes a scene, mostly against the audacity of frozen corn for dinner, and runs off into the night. He finds a boat and sets sail until he gets to an island...inhabited by Wild Things.

When he docks he comes across Carol (Gandolfini) smashing the bejeezus out of huts. Judith (O'Hara), Ira (Whittaker), Alexander (Dano), and Douglas (Cooper) are trying to stop him because these are the huts they live in. Clearly enraged and grieving over KW (Ambrose) leaving the bunch, Carol decides to destory everything. Sympathizing with being the outcast of the bunch, Max races in and helps Carol in his efforts. He then tells the Wild Things tales of the time he overtook some Vikings and they made him their king. They collectively decide that Max will be their new king and make everything right again.

Like most politicians and royalty, Max comes up with all sorts of promises that the group wholeheartedly believes. They have a romp. They sleep in a giant pile. They get to work on a gigantic fort, using everyone's best talents and really creating a group effort. He even gets KW back in on the fun and everyone feels like a literal great big family. Until Judith notices Max spending more time with Carol. And some of them feel slighted when Max divides the group into "good" and "bad" for a dirt fight. Some of them even begin to question his resume.

Max spends the rest of his time on the island trying to find out what is best for everyone, including himself.

Firstly, let me say, that although this movie is about a rambunctious 8-10 year old, this is not a movie for kids. The monsters are a little creepy. Ok well a lot creepy. They make promise to basically eat Max if he screws up. Literally eat him. He sees the bones of the previous king. It is not lighthearted or even that colorful. It's sad and a little lonely, but if you were ever 8-10 years old, you will understand a little about where Max is coming from. (ok well maybe not when he yells and bites his mom, you'd be like "my mama would whoop his ass"). Maybe you learned something in school that made you fear for your life. Maybe your mom didn't give you every minute of attention you felt you needed. Maybe you wanted to run off from home in the middle of the night to a land where only things you wanted to happen would happen.

Secondly, if you know anything about Spike Jonze and what he is capable of behind the camera, that might help you be prepared for the tone of the movie. If you know anything about the Jim Henson Company, you can be prepared for the life-like qualities that the monsters have. I've read enough articles on the making of the movie to tell you about the CGI that went to it but I'll spare you. It is totally visually stunning.

I've been debating most of the weekend on what grade to give this movie. A-. Could I be biased? Maybe. Am I being sentimental and nostalgic? Yes. Do I want to see this over and over? Indeed (on BluRay). Could it have been better? Couldn't everything?

Definetly see this.